Is Broccoli Slaw Low in Carbs? The Ultimate Guide

December 7, 2025 •

3 min read

With a single cup of cooked broccoli containing only 3 grams of net carbs, it's a staple in many low-carb diets. But is broccoli slaw low in carbs? The final carbohydrate count can vary significantly, often influenced by the dressing and other add-ins.

Quick Summary

Broccoli slaw is naturally low in carbs, but the total count depends heavily on the dressing and other ingredients. This guide helps you customize it for a delicious, healthy, and keto-friendly meal.

Key Points

Dressing is Key: The sugar in the dressing, not the vegetables, is the primary source of carbs in broccoli slaw.
Choose Keto Dressings: Use a sugar-free, mayo-based or vinaigrette-style dressing to keep your slaw low in net carbs.
Mind Your Add-ins: Avoid high-sugar additions like raisins and candied nuts; opt for low-carb options like seeds or almonds instead.
Nutrient-Dense Base: The broccoli and cabbage base of the slaw is naturally very low in carbs and rich in fiber and vitamins.
Easy to Customize: It is simple to adjust ingredients to make broccoli slaw a delicious and keto-compliant part of your diet.

Understanding the Basics: What's in Broccoli Slaw?

At its core, broccoli slaw is a shredded vegetable salad. Unlike traditional coleslaw, which relies solely on cabbage, broccoli slaw uses shredded broccoli stems, along with other ingredients like carrots, and sometimes red cabbage. On their own, these vegetables are excellent low-carb options, packed with fiber and nutrients.

Broccoli: The star of the show. Its stems and florets are very low in net carbohydrates. One cup of raw, chopped broccoli contains just 4 grams of total carbs and 2 grams of fiber, resulting in only 2 grams of net carbs.
Cabbage: A classic coleslaw ingredient, cabbage is also a very low-carb vegetable, further contributing to the keto-friendliness of the slaw base.
Carrots: While often included for color and sweetness, carrots are higher in sugar than other ingredients. In small quantities, they are fine for a low-carb diet, but their contribution adds up in larger portions.

The Carb Culprit: Dressings and Add-ins

Where broccoli slaw can go from a low-carb dream to a high-carb disaster is in the dressing. Many store-bought or traditional homemade dressings are loaded with sugar, a major source of carbohydrates.

High-Carb Ingredients to Watch Out For

Sugary Dressings: Many creamy dressings use sugar, honey, or high-fructose corn syrup for sweetness. These can add several grams of net carbs per serving.
Dried Fruit: Ingredients like raisins or dried cranberries are common in some recipes but are essentially concentrated sugar. A small handful can significantly increase the total carb count.
High-Sugar Nuts: Some candied nuts or those roasted with sugary glazes can add unnecessary carbohydrates.

How to Create a Low-Carb Broccoli Slaw

The secret to a truly low-carb broccoli slaw is making a smart, keto-friendly dressing and choosing your add-ins wisely. A keto-compliant dressing is often mayonnaise or sour cream-based, using a zero-calorie sweetener like erythritol or stevia to balance the acidity of the vinegar.

Low-Carb Dressing Alternatives

Mayonnaise & Apple Cider Vinegar: A simple and classic creamy keto dressing. Use a sugar-free mayonnaise for the best results.
Sour Cream & Lemon Juice: For a tangy, less-heavy option, combine full-fat sour cream with fresh lemon juice and a pinch of your preferred keto sweetener.
Vinegar & Oil: For a vinaigrette-style slaw, mix extra virgin olive oil with apple cider vinegar, a dash of mustard, and spices for a simple yet flavorful option.

Comparison Table: Keto vs. Traditional Broccoli Slaw

To illustrate the difference, here is a breakdown of a typical traditional broccoli slaw recipe compared to a keto-friendly version. The values are approximate per half-cup serving.


Feature	Traditional Broccoli Slaw	Keto Broccoli Slaw
Carb Source	Sugary mayonnaise, raisins	Keto mayonnaise, leafy nuts
Sweetener	Refined Sugar or Honey	Erythritol or Stevia
Add-ins	Raisins, candied pecans	Sunflower seeds, almonds
Net Carbs	10-15g or more	3-5g
Texture	Creamy, sweet	Creamy, savory
Best For	General side dish	Keto, low-carb diet

Health Benefits of Broccoli Slaw

Regardless of the recipe, the base of broccoli slaw is always a nutritious choice. Broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables are known for their health benefits, offering plenty of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Health Perks of Broccoli Slaw

High in Fiber: The shredded vegetables provide dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.
Rich in Nutrients: Broccoli is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and other essential nutrients.
Antioxidant Power: Cruciferous vegetables contain compounds that help fight oxidative stress.

The Final Verdict

So, is broccoli slaw low in carbs? Absolutely, if prepared correctly. By focusing on a sugar-free, keto-friendly dressing and avoiding high-carb additions like raisins, you can create a delicious and healthy side dish that fits perfectly into a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle. It's a versatile salad that proves eating low-carb doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or crunch.

For more detailed nutritional data on specific ingredients, consult a reliable source like the USDA Food Database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Broccoli slaw primarily uses shredded broccoli stems and other vegetables, while traditional coleslaw is made from shredded cabbage. The dressing also differs based on the recipe, often being the main factor in the carbohydrate count.

Yes, broccoli slaw can be a great addition to a keto diet, provided you use a sugar-free, low-carb dressing. You should also avoid high-sugar add-ins like raisins or honey-roasted nuts.

Carb counts vary significantly between brands. It is crucial to check the nutritional label, as many commercial versions include sugary dressings or high-carb ingredients that increase the net carb count substantially.

For low-carb sweetness, you can use zero-calorie sweeteners like erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit extract. A small amount of lemon juice can also brighten the flavors without adding sugar.

Yes, in moderation. Carrots are higher in sugar than broccoli, but a small amount for color and sweetness won't significantly impact the overall carb count of the dish. Avoid using them in large quantities.

Great keto-friendly add-ins include sunflower seeds, chopped almonds, bacon bits, cheese, or finely diced onion. These can add flavor and texture without raising the carb total.

Yes, a low-carb version of broccoli slaw can be excellent for weight loss. It is high in fiber, which helps with satiety, and low in calories, making it a filling and nutrient-rich addition to any meal plan.